Dan and Margaret Jones: Guy Francis Award

Awards page

Guy Francis Award

For Those Who Go the Extra Mile

Dan and Margaret Jones

Silverdale Baptist Academy

Why they won

When Dan and Margaret Jones decided to begin looking into adopting a child, they felt led to begin their search half a world away, in the Ukraine. As a 12-year-old with little hope of a better life, Vasya was overcome with emotion when the Jones family fought through government red tape and several international roadblocks, their two-year journey ending with his being welcomed into their Chattanooga home. Vasya, who played soccer and football at Silverdale Baptist, quickly adapted to his new family surrounding and began to flourish. He recently graduated high school and plans to either join the military or enroll at Chattanooga State.

"We were about to become empty-nesters when we adopted Vasya. We had extra beds and thought about kids that had no bed to sleep in. Watching what he's become has been amazing. " - Dan Jones

"When we saw a picture of him, God told us to go get him. " - Margaret Jones